Intercultural Communication Guide for Foreigners - Assignment Example

This brochure therefore seeks to help you with a guide to intercultural communication so that you may know the American peoples cultural values and norms, the language, negotiation styles, business etiquette and so much more. This brochure will play a key role in preventing miscommunication and misunderstanding during business meetings for you doing business in our country. Cultural values and norms The American people primarily have a western culture through they are also influenced by Asia, African, Native American and Latin American cultures.

You should be aware that the U.S is a big and diverse nation that has numerous regions and subcultures accounting for a wide range of cultural norms (Inone, 2007) When it comes to an issue like time, you must be aware that in the US efficiency is considered a virtue. Therefore Americans are usually impatient when things are moving slowly especially when conducting business and more so they expect efficient and rapid service. To many Americans if not all time is money and so it should be saved, valued and used wisely (Yale University, 2012).

In addition to this, Americans put a lot of value on punctuality and so if one is unable to reach on time at the business meeting they should call in advance to alert the others that he or she will be late. Reason being, latecomers especially in professional appointments usually risk being turned away. Directness/ Openness You should also be aware that Americans are raised in a manner that they are always open and direct. This may conflict with other cultures that do not like direct confrontation or are reserved (Yale University, 2012).

Many Americans may state that one is hiding something if the individual is not honest or open. In the American culture being direct translates to trustworthiness. Nevertheless, there are some areas that Americans are not extremely comfortable being open and that is why, they use constructive criticism. This means that an individual is giving another constructive criticism in a manner that will not hurt their feelings or will come out as offensive. Americans use facial expressions when they do not want to speak openly; they will also communicate using gestures or even body position (Yale University, 2012).

Competition/Achievement You should note that to be referred to as a high achiever in America is regarded as a compliment as Americans are known to be highly competitive (Yale University, 2012). You are therefore expected to work hard in business so that you may achieve high earnings and rise in social class. Americans usually have a busy schedule as they value action and they have a saying which goes work is a virtue and idleness is a sin. Foreigners are therefore expected to fit in to the busy schedule especially when conducting business as proper usage of time is vital to successful business (Yale University, 2012).

Business Etiquette Business etiquette is extremely imperative in whatever part of the world one is in; reason being, it can play a huge role in determining the success or failure of a business (Internationabusinesscenter.org. 2012). As a foreigner therefore, doing business here in the US, there is certain business etiquette that is expected. For instance when attending a business meeting, business suits and ties are considered appropriate; for meetings that are formal, men are expected to wear white shirts while women should wear a dress with a jacket or a suit.

When it comes to business conversations they can as well occur during meals and business meetings can be arranged as luncheon, breakfast or dinner meetings usually depending on necessity and time schedules